History Of Freemasonry In Worcestershire.

Prov . G . Lodge was proposed and agreed to . The brethren were called from Refreshment to labour and the Prov . G . Lodge was closed at 8 p . m . (^ e ? be conthmed . )

Masonic Jottings.—No. 24.

MASONIC JOTTINGS . —No . 24 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GEAND MASTER . NIEBUHE . A Brother is not necessarily a Niebuhr , and he sometimes , unwittingly , takes Myth for History . THE EGYPTOLOGISTS .

The labours of the Egyptologists completed , all the stone inscriptions and all the papyri reada learned Brother thinks something will then turn up , throwing a light on old Masonry .

HISTORY . History , philosophically studied and understood , sufficiently shows the great antiquity of what , in recent times , is called Speculative Masonry . THREE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE , A . D . 1717 .

A Cambridge Brother says that three things took place , A . D . 1717 . First the removal to a new lodge , in which Speculative Masonry could be more conveniently and effectively cultivated and taught . Next , codification of such laws and usages as were found not unsuitable to the 18 th century . Thirdly , revisal of the old Charges .

THE HENRY VI . EXAMINATION . Brother J . S . "P . —The two German writers who consider the Henry "VI . Examination genuine , are Krause and Fessler . THE YEAR 1681 .

A Brother says that 1681 , when Strasburg fell into the hands of the French , was a most disastrous year for the German lodges . COURSE OF MASONIC READING . Cambrid

A ge Master of Arts writes , askino-• ° advice as to a suitable course of Masonic reading As my correspondent is well versed in German , he should begin by making himself thoroughly acquainted with Brother Findel ' s History in the

original . He should next proceed to Krause , and then to Kloss . When this has been accomplished , he will not find it necessary to consult any one respecting his future progress ,

Masonic Archæological Institute.

MASONIC ARCH ? OLOGICAL INSTITUTE .

A meeting was held at Freemasons' Hail , Great Queen-street , on Thursday evening June 9 th , W . Bro . Matthew Moggridge , P . Prov . S . G . W ., South AVales , F . S . A ., F . G . S ., in the chair . The Secretary read letters of apology from several

members . A letter was read from W . Bro . J . H . Younghusband , P . M ., sending to the institute as a present for its members , twelve copies ot his lodge

music . AV . Bro . Wigginton , F . R . I . B . A ., passed a high enlogium ou the value of this music at consecrations . Bro . Shackell concurred . Thanks were returned to Bro . Younghnsband .

Aletter was read from Bro . AVitham M . Bywater , as follows : — "April 11 , 1870 . " Dear Sir and Brother , " The publication of the first report of the

c Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts ' places in a prominent manner the interesting results which are beginning to be manifested by the discovery of long lost or hitherto unknown documents . " Impressed with the importance which this

movement may have for our noble science , I am led without further apology to suggest the question whether something cannot be gainea for Masonry by this investigation . I think it not unlikely that among the commissioners there , may

be one or more who may belong to the Fraternity with whom your influence , or that of the Council of the Masonic Archseological Institute , might have sufficient weight , to induce them to issue such instructions or private hints to their literary

staff , as would lead to their taking note of any MSS . relating to the early history of Free and Accepted or Speculative Masonry . For instance , particular attention might be directed to collections in the possession of the families of notable

persons who in the last century filled the post of Grand Master either in the ' Ancient' or ' Modern ' side .

" Notwithstanding the frequent aud sometimes feasible arguments which are advanced to prove that Speculative Masonry had no existence prior to 1717 , I think it highly probable that among the MSS . preserved in the muniment ( lumber ? ) I'ooms of some of our old families , documents may be found which will be valuable to us , by